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Lees-McRae College
Banner Elk, NC, USA
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Lees-McRae's campus features a blend of historic stone architecture and modern facilities spread across terraced landscapes that follow the natural contours of the mountainside, with scenic overlooks offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and valley below. The central campus is punctuated by mature hardwood trees, seasonal gardens, and outdoor gathering spaces connected by stone pathways that wind between academic buildings, residence halls, and recreational areas. We invite you to walk our beautiful mountain campus—schedule your tour today and explore the inspiring environment where our students live and learn.
Lees-McRae College boasts a proud athletic tradition as a member of NCAA Division II, competing in the Conference Carolinas with 23 varsity sports teams known as the Bobcats. The college has particularly strong programs in cycling, having won over 10 national championships, and in men's soccer, which has seen significant success at the conference level. Athletic facilities include the Williams Physical Education Center with its recently renovated performance gym, the Arthur Student Recreation Complex with tennis courts and training facilities, and the Bobcat Mountain Bike Park, which serves both recreational riders and the championship cycling team. Student-athletes at Lees-McRae benefit from a balanced approach to academics and athletics, maintaining an impressive collective GPA above 3.0 across all sports programs. The college also offers extensive intramural and outdoor recreation opportunities for non-varsity athletes, ensuring all students can participate in active pursuits regardless of competitive level.
Southeast, Rural area: Lees-McRae College is nestled in the Southeast region of the United States, specifically in the charming mountain town of Banner Elk, North Carolina. The campus is situated in a decidedly rural area, surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains at an elevation of approximately 3,700 feet, making it one of the highest-altitude campuses in the eastern United States. Sprawling across 460 picturesque acres, the Lees-McRae campus features a distinctive blend of historic stone buildings—including the iconic MacDonald Hall with its turreted architecture—and modern facilities that harmonize with the natural mountain landscape. The campus grounds are characterized by lush greenery in spring and summer, vibrant foliage in fall, and occasional blankets of snow in winter, with winding pathways connecting academic buildings, residence halls, and recreational spaces amid the backdrop of mountain vistas. Various outdoor spaces, including the centrally located Tate Lawn and the Arthur Student Recreation Complex, provide students with areas to study, socialize, and enjoy the crisp mountain air that defines this unique Appalachian campus experience.
For the most accurate and up-to-date cost of attendance, please click the link below! Lees-McRae College offers a comprehensive financial aid program, with approximately 98% of students receiving some form of financial assistance through scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study opportunities. The college provides several institutional scholarships specifically designed for Lees-McRae students, including the Presidential Scholarship for academic achievement, the Performing Arts Scholarship for talented musicians and theater students, and the Cycling Scholarship for competitive cyclists. Additionally, Lees-McRae offers unique financial support through the Elizabeth McRae Scholarship for first-generation college students and the Shelton Scholars program for students demonstrating exceptional leadership potential.
Imagine yourself stepping into the spotlight on the historic stage of Hayes Auditorium, where Lees-McRae's vibrant performing arts programs bring creative visions to life. The college offers dedicated undergraduate programs in Performing Arts Studies with concentrations in Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre, all taught by faculty who bring professional industry experience to their instruction. Students can participate in the college's theatrical season, which typically features four major productions annually through the Lees-McRae Theatre Arts program, ranging from contemporary works to beloved classics. The Performing Arts Department also hosts the Summer Theatre program, a regional attraction that allows students to work alongside visiting professional actors and directors during the summer months. Beyond formal studies, students can join performance-based organizations like the Lees-McRae Choir, the Highland Dancers, or the student-run Elevation Theatre Company, which produces additional shows throughout the academic year.
Lees-McRae College offers a distinctive approach to Greek life through its professional and service-oriented organizations rather than traditional social fraternities and sororities. Students can join Alpha Chi, a national college honor society that recognizes academic excellence across all disciplines, or Rho Theta Sigma, a service-oriented fraternity dedicated to leadership development and community engagement on campus. The college also features several professional Greek organizations aligned with specific academic programs, including Alpha Psi Omega for theatre arts students and Beta Beta Beta for biology majors. These Greek organizations at Lees-McRae emphasize academic achievement, professional development, and service rather than the social aspects typically associated with Greek life at larger institutions.
Lees-McRae College prioritizes real-world experience through its comprehensive internship program that connects students with opportunities aligned with their academic and career goals across various industries. The college's Experiential Learning program requires internships for numerous majors, including Business Administration, Wildlife Biology, and Criminal Justice, with dedicated faculty coordinators who help students secure positions with partners such as the Blue Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Grandfather Mountain Nature Preserve, and local healthcare facilities. Notable internship successes include Outdoor Recreation Management students working with the U.S. Forest Service in nearby Pisgah National Forest, and Communication Arts majors gaining experience at regional media outlets and marketing firms. The Career Services office maintains an extensive database of internship opportunities and hosts bi-annual internship fairs where students can connect directly with employers seeking Lees-McRae talent.
Lees-McRae College offers a distinctive selection of undergraduate programs tailored to its mountain environment and commitment to experiential learning, with particularly renowned majors in Wildlife Biology, Outdoor Recreation Management, and Emergency Medical Services and Management. The college features unique specialized programs such as Wildlife Rehabilitation, which works directly with the on-campus May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and Ski Industry Business and Instruction, leveraging relationships with nearby ski resorts to provide hands-on industry experience. Students can choose from over 30 majors and minors across four academic divisions: Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Science and Mathematics, with interdisciplinary options like Appalachian Studies that connect directly to the regional context. For a full list of academic programming, click the link below.
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Lees-McRae College provides robust undergraduate research opportunities through its Appalachian Research Initiative, which awards competitive grants to students conducting original research in fields ranging from wildlife conservation to Appalachian cultural studies. Science students frequently engage in field research at the college's Elk Valley Preserve, a 70-acre ecological laboratory where they monitor wildlife populations, study native plant communities, and collect data on environmental conditions that impact local ecosystems. The college's annual Research Symposium showcases student projects from all disciplines, with standout examples including wildlife biology students' ongoing population studies of the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel and business students' analyses of sustainable tourism impacts on small mountain economies. The Summer Research Fellows program pairs students with faculty mentors for intensive 10-week research projects, providing stipends and housing while students develop professional research skills in preparation for graduate studies or careers.
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Lees-McRae College is classified as a very small institution, with an undergraduate student population of approximately 850 students creating an intimate academic community. This tight-knit campus environment fosters close relationships between students and faculty, with small class sizes that average just 14 students per professor.
Lees-McRae College boasts over 50 student-led clubs and organizations catering to diverse interests, from the Wildlife Rehabilitation Club that works directly with the on-campus wildlife center to the Cycling Club that takes advantage of the renowned mountain biking trails surrounding campus. The Outdoor Programs organization coordinates weekly adventure activities including rock climbing at nearby crags, kayaking expeditions, and backcountry camping trips, all led by student guides who have completed specialized training. Popular student groups include the Residence Hall Association, which organizes campus-wide events like the annual Winter Formal and Spring Fling, the Student Government Association, which manages a dedicated budget for student initiatives, and Cosplay Club, whose members showcase their creative costume designs at the college's popular "Bobcat Con" event each spring.
Lees-McRae College features a diverse undergraduate student body with approximately 70% White students, 15% Black or African American students, 7% Hispanic or Latino students, and 8% representing other racial and ethnic backgrounds including multiracial students. The gender distribution slightly favors female students who make up about 55% of the population, while male students comprise around 45% of those enrolled. Although the majority of Lees-McRae students come from North Carolina and neighboring southeastern states, the college attracts students from over 35 states and several countries, with growing representation from the Northeast and Midwest regions. The college has seen an increase in first-generation college students in recent years, with approximately 40% of undergraduates being the first in their families to pursue higher education.
Lees-McRae College offers a variety of housing options across its eight residence halls, ranging from historic buildings like Virginia Hall with its classic dormitory-style rooms to the apartment-style living arrangements in Baldwin Hall and McMillan Hall that provide more independent lifestyles for upperclassmen. First-year students typically reside in Hemlock Village or Tate Hall, which feature traditional double-occupancy rooms and community bathrooms designed to foster connections among new students. The college's dining services are centered around MacDonald Dining Commons, which offers all-you-care-to-eat meal options with rotating menus featuring locally-sourced ingredients and accommodations for dietary restrictions, while Provisions on Demand (POD) provides grab-and-go options for students between classes. Additional dining venues include the Dog House, a popular campus grill serving made-to-order sandwiches and burgers, and the recently added Bobcat Brew coffee shop located in the King-Shivell Hall, which serves Starbucks products and fresh pastries. Meal plans are required for residential students and come in several tiers, from the unlimited access plan popular with athletes to more modest options for students who frequently eat off-campus. The college takes pride in its Farm-to-Table initiative, which incorporates produce from the student-maintained community garden into dining hall meals and highlights sustainable food practices.
Lees-McRae College offers over 30 distinctive undergraduate majors including standout programs in Wildlife Biology, Outdoor Recreation Management, and Emergency Medical Services and Management, with opportunities to pursue complementary minors like Appalachian Studies or Business Administration. Students are encouraged to explore various disciplines during their first year before officially declaring a major by the end of their sophomore year, though they can change their academic focus with proper advising support. The college's unique Pre-Veterinary Program features direct collaboration with the on-campus May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, while the Ski Industry Business and Instruction program leverages partnerships with nearby ski resorts to provide specialized training unavailable at most institutions. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning across all disciplines, with small class sizes averaging 14 students that allow for personalized attention from faculty who serve as both instructors and academic advisors.
Lees-McRae College provides comprehensive support for first-generation students and those from low-income backgrounds through its TRIO Student Support Services program, which offers personalized academic advising, tutoring, and workshops on college navigation skills. The Elizabeth McRae Scholarship specifically targets first-generation students with financial need, providing substantial tuition assistance while connecting recipients with faculty mentors who guide them through their academic journey. The college's First-Gen Success Network pairs incoming first-generation students with upperclassmen mentors who have similar backgrounds, creating a supportive community where students can share experiences and resources. Additionally, the Student Success Center offers specialized workshops on financial literacy, time management, and accessing campus resources, while maintaining an emergency assistance fund to help low-income students with unexpected financial challenges throughout their college experience.
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